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Observation: Short Swing

Observation Date
1/18/2024
Observer Name
Zimmerman-Wall
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » Short Swing
Location Name or Route
Mountain Mahogany/Mill D
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Decreasing clouds and wind. Temps were comfortable and were gradually rising throughout the day. Tour was from 10am-2pm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surface conditions were good to very good. The wind had pressed the medium density snow into a lot of terrain features and the HS on Mountain Mahogony (S. facing 7400-8000') is 60-100cm deep. The snowpack was approaching twice that depth over on the Powder Park 3 side of things. South facing took on heat by the mid afternoon and roller balls were initiated on every turn below 8000'.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Widespread natural wet loose avalanche below 8000' noted on the drive down BCC.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The structure is well advertised as being ripe for avalanching on nearly all aspects. Low elevation South was the holdout and was generally right side up with a moist series of crusts at ground level to 20cm. Above that was all from the last 1.5 weeks of storms. Some easy shears in the new snow, and on a subtle crust from a break between storms, but no propagation or cracking. Lots of crowns still visible across the range in the mid and upper elevation bands on a variety of aspects.
Comments
Tour was up from Spruces to the top of Powder Park 3 and back. Utilized the good coverage on the south facing to access the ridgeline and had a pleasant walk. Wind decreasing but had affected the surfaces as you gained elevation from 8200-9000'.
1. Mountain Mahogany-South facing coverage
2. Wind Texture from cross loading on NE facing slope above Powder Park 3
3. Wind Texture from upslope wind on West facing slope of Powder Park 3
4. Ski turn initated roller balls on South facing Mountain Mahogany upon exit at 2pm
5. Natural roller balls below 8,000' feet all the way down canyon
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates